Interview: Miles Jupp

“Astronauts. Regrets. The sexes. Social media. Hipsters. Poo. Rage. Medicine. Manners. Identity. Lost stuff. Other stuff.” In new show Songs of Freedom, Miles Jupp – stand-up, actor, writer, thinker, father, worrier, fool, star of Rev and host of The News Quiz – hits the road this month in a freshly-ironed shirt and some robust trousers and tries to make some bloody sense of it all.

It sounds as though Songs of Freedom has a little less political anger, and more immersion in the everyday, than its predecessor. How did that come about?
I guess that, because I talk so much about politics on The News Quiz now, I wanted to do something that was a bit of an antidote – a chance to just be a bit silly. Also, news-based stuff sometimes only lasts a week or so, and I wanted to write a show that I could do for a while and that would evolve – rather than requiring continual tinkering to stay relevant. Stand-up can be a bit too self-reflective sometimes, but if you’re not someone with a grand worldview – and I’m really not – then what’s going on in your little head, or your little life, is something you can bring to the party.

What’s your beef with hipsters?
I actually stopped doing stuff about hipsters because outside of cities no one seemed to care! I do think they could show a few more emotions though. I don’t really know any. It’s probably just an irrational distrust of ‘cool’. When I was in Rev, we used to film in Shoreditch and I used to enjoy laughing about these incredibly self-conscious people whose raison d’être appeared to be not being perceived as self-conscious. They may well be delightful. 

You are a mild-mannered, courteous comic in an age of rage. Or something. Correct? And if so, is this a deliberate ploy, or merely a happy accident?
I am actually a very angry person with the outward appearance of a mild-mannered, courteous person. Sometimes being mind-mannered is an effective tool, though. Being very calm and polite with people who are being aggressive is good fun. I remember having this quite aggressive heckler on London once, and I just replied by being polite and trying to empathise. “You’re not enjoying it? Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. That must be absolutely infuriating for you. No fun at all, I expect”, etcetera. It’s disarming.

How have you found hosting The News Quiz in politically… interesting times? And how easy is it to keep a lid on your own politics?
I’ve enjoyed many aspects of it. Being in charge of something rather than just being on it can be quite hard. You have to encourage some people to speak more, and others to speak less. That’s a bit trying. Politically, it’s been hellish. All sorts of dreadful things happening. I’m meant to be sort of neutral on it, which is a bit frustrating. But then the BBC is always under attack for showing bias. Usually by people who think it should be showing bias – but only towards them.

Do you think a comedy show like The News Quiz should be politically neutral?
No – but I do think everybody should be fair game. People get very cross about things and make assumptions, but it’s usually pretty silly.

Miles Jupp: Songs of Freedom Feb 13 & Feb 14, Bristol Old Vic. For more info, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/milesjupp.html